Pictured: Tough guy Harvey Keitel takes lead role in U.S. version of Life On Mars

Sunday 17 August 2008 19:49 BST

Bloodied and dishevelled, this is tough guy actor Harvey Keitel as Detective Chief Inspector Gene Hunt in the U.S. remake of the award-winning series, Life On Mars.

The cult BBC show about a modern-day detective mysteriously transported back to 1970s Manchester has been bought by U.S. network ABC and is planned for the autumn schedule.

Partners in crime-solving: Harvey Keitel and Jason O'Mara film scenes for the upcoming U.S. remake of Life On Mars

Partners in crime-solving: Harvey Keitel and Jason O'Mara film scenes for the upcoming U.S. remake of Life On Mars

Keitel, famous for his roles in violent gangster films including Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Ficton and Taxi Driver, will star alongside Irish actor John O'Mara, who plays time-travelling detective Sam Tyler.

Written by Ally McBeal creator David E Kelley, the show will be set in New York.

Two of a kind: Harvey Keitel takes the role of DCI Gene Hunt, made famous in Britain by Philip Glennister (right)

Actors Gretchen Mol and Michael Imperioli on the set of the US version of the hit series. Gretchen takes the role of Annie Cartwright

Actors Gretchen Mol and Michael Imperioli on the set of the US version of the hit series. Gretchen takes the role of Annie Cartwright

The British version of Life On Mars recreated the grim realities of Manchester in 1973 and revolved around the foibles of its magnetic protagonist: the hard-living chauvinist Detective Chief Inspector Hunt, played by Philip Glennister.

ABC plans to roll out a full series of the show for American broadcast, after the British original attracted a viewing audience of seven million for its final episode in April 2007.

Flashback: the original BBC version of Life On Mars starred Philip Glenister and John Simm as DCI Gene Hunt and DI Sam Tyler

Flashback: the original BBC version of Life On Mars starred Philip Glenister and John Simm as DCI Gene Hunt and DI Sam Tyler

The plum role of Hunt was originally earmarked for Irish actor Colm Meaney. It is not clear why he now will not be involved in the series.

The US announcement comes only months after Spanish commercial broadcaster Antena 3 signed a deal to remake the Life On Mars, but setting in 1978, to side-step the grimmer aspects of the Franco dictatorship which bore down the country in 1973.

The original version of Life on Mars picked up the audience award at last year's BAFTAs, and spawned the sequel Ashes to Ashes.